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(.No Model.)

J. A. JOHNSTON. STEAM WASHING MACHINE.

Patented July 12, 1881.

INVEJVTOR WITNESSES v 2 43 @mb Attorney- N. PETERS. Phommmm w, wmlm n. c.

ATENT FFICE.

JONES A. JOHNSTON, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

STEAM WASHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,220, dated July 12, 1887.

Application filed February 2, 1885. Serial No. 154,665. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, Jones A. Jorrnsron, of Rochester, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Steam WVashing-Machines, of which the followingis a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in steam washing-machines, which improvements are fully described in the following specification and the novel features thereof specified in the annexed claims.

My improvements in washing-machines are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which* Figure lis a side elevation, partially in section. Fig. 2 is an end view. Fig. 3 is a central transverse section. Fig. 4 is a plan view, the cover of the condensing-chamber being removed. Fig. 5 is a plan view, the condensing chamber being removed.

My improved washing-machine consists, essentially, of a suitable vessel or boiler, A, provided with a perforated false bottom, B, the perforated steam-distributer O, and condensing-chamber D. The boiler A is made of any suitable shape and dimensions for the amount of work to be performed. The false bottom 13, which may be made of either perforated sheet metal or of wire-cloth, is supported in the boiler at a short distance above its bot" tom in any suitable manner. I prefer to make the false bottom. removable, and for this purpose it is conveniently supported by the legs F, Fig. 1. Above the false bottom is placed the steam distributer O, which consists of a tube of any suitable shape or dimensions formed of wire-gauze or perforated sheet metal, and supported in position by the steampassage E, which is open at the lower end, which rests on the false bottom and communicates freely with the distributor O. The steam-passage may be made either of wiregauze or perforated sheet metal. One or more stean1-passages,E, may be used, if desired. The distributor and passage are preferably con nected together, so that they can be removed together from the boiler. As shown in the drawings, the boiler is preferably made smaller toward its bottom, as this construction facilitates shipment in nests. Above this boiler is placed the condensing-chamber I), which consists of a suitable tray or vessel having a removable cover or lid, G, and having its bottom provided with one or more openings, H, through which the steam escapes from the boiler into the chamber, and a number of smaller perforations, I, through which the condensed steam falls back onto the clothes in the boiler. The condensing-chamber is also provided with openings J J on its ends or sides, or both, for the admission of air, which assists in the circulation of the steam.

The operation of my improved washing machine will be readily understood. The space in the boiler below the perforated false bottom having been partially filled with. water, the clothes to be washed are introduced into the boiler above the false bottom and around the steam-distributer. Thecondensing-cha'mher is arranged in place above the boiler and heat applied in any convenient way to the lower part of the boiler. The steam rising from the water passes through the steam-passage E and is discharged by the distributer through the mass of clothes in the boiler, thereby thoroughly steaming and cleansing the same and causing a constant movement among them, so that every part of each piece is subjected to the operation. The steam which es capes from the boiler passes through the opening or openings H, and, being in large part condensed in the condensing-chamber, falls back through the openings I into the clothes in the boiler, which are thereby kept continually moist. The bottom of the condensingchambcr may be inclined in one or both directions, in which case a single perforation, I, or row or series of perforations, will answer the purpose required; but I prefer to provide a series of perforations distributed over the bottom, as represented in the drawings. The condensing-chamber is not essential to the ac tion of the distributer; but I prefer to employ it, as it prevents the drying of the exposed surface of the clothes in the boiler.

I have demonstrated the utility of my improvements in washing-machines by practical trials of the most thorough character.

I hereby expressly disclaim the inventions shown and described in United States Letters Patent Nos. 135,708, 112,760, and 159,196.

I claim 1. The combination, with the receptacle A, having the perforated false bottom 13 and the water allowed to drip back upon the clothes,

substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the receptacle A, having the perforated false bottom B and the wire-gauze steam-distributcr C, connected to said false bottom by the perforated passage E,

of the condensing-chamber D, constituting the cover for the receptacle, provided with the perforations I in its bottom and the perfora tions J in its ends, whereby the clothes placed in the receptacle upon the bottom and distributer will be steamed by the passage of the steam up through them, and the latter will be condensed in the chamber D and the water allowed 2 5 to drip back upon them, substantially as described.

JONES A. JOHNSTON.

VVituesses:

GEO. B. SELDEN, L. A. KANE. 

